Nic Doggett provides the best bets from around the tracks this Friday, including an Aintree Nap.
Friday selections
- Helnwein - 2.20 Aintree to place (7 places)
- Romeo Coolio - 2.55 Aintree to WIN
- Marble Sands - 4.05 Aintree to place (7 places)
DANCING CITY - 1.45 Aintree (NAP)
DANCING CITY was easy to back prior to disappointing in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at Cheltenham last month, leading until a mistake three out, but his earlier performances over fences suggest that is likely to be a temporary blip.
An emphatic winner of the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at this meeting 12 months ago, where he was given a more patient ride, I expect Paul Townend to bide his time more than the horse’s last two starts and he should get a good tow into the race from the likes of Handstands, Caldwell Potter, The Changing Man and the mare Don’t Rightly Know, all of whom have made the running before.
The Donnellys clearly target this meeting (44% strike-rate with four winners from nine runners) and Dancing City is fancied to give Willie Mullins a first win in the race.
QUEENS ROAD REVUE – 2.40 Leicester
Considering she went on to win over C&D in July, QUEENS ROAD REVUE did well to finish as close as she did on her reappearance last season when four lengths fourth to Brumell (who is now rated 13 lb higher) over five furlongs at Beverley.
The Tim Easterby-trained mare followed up her win here with success back at Beverley a month later and looks to have ideal conditions for her return to action. She is only 2 lb higher than for that success and if she can avoid a slow start then she could make a winning return under a promising young rider.
MISS SHOW OFF – 3.05 Bath
MISS SHOW OFF represents a Clive Cox yard that has its horses in good form at present, recording an 18% strike-rate in March, and the Showcasing filly can add to that with a good run in this competitive sprint handicap.
She was a neck away from making a successful debut in May 2023, when sent off at 16/1, and then was only beaten by three quarters of a length (at 20/1) when fourth to Good Earth at Sandown last August following a 422-day absence.
Clearly capable of running well fresh, she might be straighter than Regal Envoy who took a few runs to get going last season.
BUST A MOON - 6.20 Southwell
Sent off the well-supported 15/8 favourite, the former Eve Jonson Houghton-trained BUST A MOON made a promising start for David Evans when runner-up at Chelmsford last week and can go one better off from the same mark (3 lb higher in future).
The Rumble Inthejungle gelding is out of a five-furlong winner and showed plenty of speed last week when only beaten a neck by a horse who could prove much better than his opening handicap mark, so should cope with this drop in trip and he can shoulder top-weight to victory.
RUSHMOUNT - 1.20 Aintree (NAP)
RUSHMOUNT's fourth in a Leopardstown handicap is a decent piece of form and he made the most of an easier opportunity when dotting up on good ground at Thurles. He is 11 lbs higher but looks to have the scope to cope with that raise. Rushmount hasn't got many miles on the clock after just six starts under Rules - and a couple of points - and was good enough to split Lecky Watson and Shannon Royale on the first of them; form which suggests he should be competitive off this mark. His novice season didn't end on a positive note but Rushmount has shown career best form this year and promises to have a higher ceiling than this.
BALLYHIHO - 12.55 Newcastle
It's been a quiet season for her trainer but BALLYHIHO is expected to take a big step forwards now faced with a more suitable step off a basement mark. She showed ability in points on Ireland, no match for Aintree bumper third Kingston Queen on the first of them but in front of a dual winner for Dan Skelton currently rated 107. Ballyhiho lines up off 84 after three qualifying runs over the minimum trip at triple figure prices but this company should be more to her liking.
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LUCKY LUGGER - 1.40 Chepstow
A modest strike rate is a concern for LUCKY LUGGER but he's twice run well over this C&D and looks set for another bold bid providing he copes with the quicker surface. He has run creditably on good to soft and comes here on the back of two good runs in February and has been given every chance to continue in that vein by the handicapper.
DORNEY LAKE - 6.05 Yarmouth
Michael Bell's string have hit the ground running which is encouraging ahead of the newly gelded DORNEY LAKE's debut for the yard. Dorney Lake won over C&D on last year's reappearance for the Gosdens and followed up before being sent off at 8/1 for a Royal Ascot handicap. He didn't come up to expectations there or subsequently but ran creditably enough on occasion and is now 9 lbs lower than his initial racing so has been given every chance to bounce back for his new team.
MEGAPHONE - 6.45 Wolverhampton
Desert Champion won as he liked at Chelmsford in a first time visor and perhaps that headgear will transform his form but he was behind MEGAPHONE on his penultimate start (Ay Gee Ell second) when in receipt of 7 lbs. Megaphone has been gelded for his troubles which could bring about further improvement but either way there should be more to come now handicapping.
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2025 winners
- Detain 5/4 (NAP)
- Jackpot Cash evens
- La Dolce Dolly 5/4 (NAP)
- City Of Delight 13/2 (NAP)
- Godwinson 15/2 (NAP)
- Tuco Salamanca (5/6)
- Siam Park 13/8
- Media Mogul 85/40 (NAP)
- Star Legend 3/1
- Kalium 8/1 (NAP)
- Leave Of Absence 9/4 (NAP)
- Regarde 5/2
- Gemmari 11/4 (NAP)
- Timetoshine 9/4
- Tuco Salamanca 7/4
- Jagwar 3/1 (NAP)
- Penzance 3/1
- Youdecide 15/8
- Pururhandstogether 17/2 (NAP)
- The Organiser 6/5
- Skin Full 13/8
- Millie Supreme 9/2
- Heads Or Harps 11/8
- Party Vibes 7/2
- I See The Sea 2/1
- Le Tiep's Sacre 100/30
- Born In The West 2/1 (NAP)
- Awaythelad 9/2
- Charmaine 2/1 (NAP)
- Henrysbrotherjack 11/8 (NAP)
- Outer Banks 9/1
- Elterwater 5/2
- Glen Buck 10/11 (NAP)
- Teddy Blue 7/2 (NAP)
- Ray Gun 18/5
- Sun Keeper 5/1
- Jackpot Cash 3/1 (NAP)
- Arcadian Nights 100/30
- Leadenhall Street 5/4 (NAP)
- Pic D'Orhy 9/5
- Golden Ace 6/5
- Myretown 5/2 (NAP)
- Apiarist 11/2
- Sainte Doctor 4/1
- Plage De Lavre 5/4
- Aviemore 4/1
- Rey De La Batalla 11/2
- New Found Fame 6/1
- Pilgrims King 5/1
- Saint Anapolino 10/3
- Blue Anthem 5/1
- Buzz Box 5/2
- Dance In The Storm 8/11
- Northern Cracksman 9/4
- Kylian 9/4
- Sol Cayo 2/1
- George's Lad 10/11
- Beauty Generation 15/8
- Komedy Kicks 11/4 (NAP)
- Our Havana 6/1
- Manara 2/1
- Jimmy Knocker 13/2
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